The Common Cold - Remedies That Can Help
Common colds are indeed a common affliction of mankind.
Almost everyone will catch at least one cold per year and the average is around two to four colds per annum.
What is the cause? Very simply it is a virus infection of the nose and throat.
Since it a virus and not a bacteria, that is causing the problem, antibiotics are not an option for a cure.
There are however a number of remedies which have been demonstrated to help those suffering from the common cold.
Vitamin c has long been touted as a common cold remedy.
In the 1960s Dr.
Linus Pauling came up with research that showed that 1000mg or more of vitamin C would reduce the incidence of the common cold for most people and would shorten its duration for those who had a cold.
It has been found that people vary in their tolerance for large quantities of vitamin C and that it will result in diarrhea when the level of tolerance is exceeded.
Otherwise no other ill effects have been found.
Zinc in the form of lozenges has been found to reduce the duration of a cold if taken within 24 hours of its onset.
These lozenges contain zinc gluconate or zinc acetate and recommended usage is one lozenge every 3 to four hours with a maximum of 6 lozenges per day.
Zinc lozenges which contain flavoring compounds such as citric acid, tartaric acid mannitol or sorbitol should be avoided as these compounds reduce the effectiveness of the zinc.
Echinacea is a very popular herbal cold remedy.
Actual solid evidence that it reduces length or severity of a cold is not very strong however.
Leaves,flowers and stems from the herb echinacea purpurea are the most commonly used variety of echinacea.
This may be in the form of pills or an extract in the form of drops.
Herbalists commonly suggest taking echinacea every 2 to 3 hours with a total of 3 or more grams per day.
Garlic is a popular home remedy for colds.
Garlic contains high levels of allicin which has been shown to be antibacterial and antifungal.
Fresh garlic cloves should be chopped up for consumption since air activates the allicin compounds.
Cooked garlic in the form of soup or other dishes to which it is added are also effective.
Deodorised garlic pills which leave no odor on the breath are a popular form of supplementation.
Some studies have shown that people who eat garlic regularly reduce the incidence of colds by up to 50 percent and the duration of a cold was also reduced significantly.
Honey has long been popular as a cold remedy.
Research has shown that honey helps to calm coughing in children.
Honey has antioxidant and antibacterial properties and may form a coating in the throat which soothes irritation.
One warning here.
Do not use honey very frequently before going to bed at night.
Like any other sugar it forms acids which attack teeth and cause cavities so it should be taken during the day and the teeth should be cleaned at bed time.
Almost everyone will catch at least one cold per year and the average is around two to four colds per annum.
What is the cause? Very simply it is a virus infection of the nose and throat.
Since it a virus and not a bacteria, that is causing the problem, antibiotics are not an option for a cure.
There are however a number of remedies which have been demonstrated to help those suffering from the common cold.
Vitamin c has long been touted as a common cold remedy.
In the 1960s Dr.
Linus Pauling came up with research that showed that 1000mg or more of vitamin C would reduce the incidence of the common cold for most people and would shorten its duration for those who had a cold.
It has been found that people vary in their tolerance for large quantities of vitamin C and that it will result in diarrhea when the level of tolerance is exceeded.
Otherwise no other ill effects have been found.
Zinc in the form of lozenges has been found to reduce the duration of a cold if taken within 24 hours of its onset.
These lozenges contain zinc gluconate or zinc acetate and recommended usage is one lozenge every 3 to four hours with a maximum of 6 lozenges per day.
Zinc lozenges which contain flavoring compounds such as citric acid, tartaric acid mannitol or sorbitol should be avoided as these compounds reduce the effectiveness of the zinc.
Echinacea is a very popular herbal cold remedy.
Actual solid evidence that it reduces length or severity of a cold is not very strong however.
Leaves,flowers and stems from the herb echinacea purpurea are the most commonly used variety of echinacea.
This may be in the form of pills or an extract in the form of drops.
Herbalists commonly suggest taking echinacea every 2 to 3 hours with a total of 3 or more grams per day.
Garlic is a popular home remedy for colds.
Garlic contains high levels of allicin which has been shown to be antibacterial and antifungal.
Fresh garlic cloves should be chopped up for consumption since air activates the allicin compounds.
Cooked garlic in the form of soup or other dishes to which it is added are also effective.
Deodorised garlic pills which leave no odor on the breath are a popular form of supplementation.
Some studies have shown that people who eat garlic regularly reduce the incidence of colds by up to 50 percent and the duration of a cold was also reduced significantly.
Honey has long been popular as a cold remedy.
Research has shown that honey helps to calm coughing in children.
Honey has antioxidant and antibacterial properties and may form a coating in the throat which soothes irritation.
One warning here.
Do not use honey very frequently before going to bed at night.
Like any other sugar it forms acids which attack teeth and cause cavities so it should be taken during the day and the teeth should be cleaned at bed time.
